Peripheral Neuropathy Treatment With EFT

Peripheral neuropathy patients may benefit from EFT treatment.

Peripheral neuropathy is damage to the part of the nervous system that sends messages from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. While the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke reports there is no cure for the inherited form of the disease, many therapies exist to treat more than 100 other types of peripheral neuropathy. Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) may offer relief to peripheral neuropathy patients by reducing the emotional traumas that contribute to their condition.

Background

EFT aims to reduce pain caused by emotions.

EFT is an acupuncture point stimulation technique devised by Gary Craig to manipulate energy meridians and release energy blockages that cause negative thoughts. Patients let go of emotional triggers that contribute to physical symptoms by making a statement about the pain condition they want changed while self-tapping on acupuncture points around the body. According to alternative medicine author Dawson Church, Ph.D., EFT can reduce pain that is emotional in source and provide relief to patients with nervous system damage.

Technique

Fingertip tapping touches acupuncture points.

EFT requires some formal in-home training, in which a free video or manual is available to demonstrate the treatment. The technique requires patients to use their fingertips to tap on 12 acupuncture points near the eyes, mouth, collarbone, on the chest and under the arms. While tapping, patients voice a positive affirmation about a past injury, trauma or event. The patient makes note of the intensity of distress she feels and keeps repeating the affirmation while self-tapping. EFT may have an immediate effect or may require extended treatments.

Studies

Very few neurotherapeutic EFT studies exist.

While there are no studies on EFT treatment for peripheral neuropathy patients, a study published by clinical psychoneurophysiology experts on EFT treatment in the neurotherapeutic treatment of epilepsy and other seizure disorders showed day-to-day EFT therapy reduced the occurrence of seizures, and when used as an emergency procedure, EFT reduced the intensity of an ongoing seizure. In an EFT study relating to post traumatic stress disorder, patients with traumatic brain injuries had a drop in physical symptoms of about 30 percent after EFT treatment.

Doubts

Critics of EFT point to lack of scientific basis with no large-scale physiological studies on the relationship between EFT, the nervous system and long-standing emotional trauma. Because EFT is a free behavioral intervention, there is little pharmaceutical company interest. EFT supporters report EFT is not a substitute for medical or mental health treatment, but claim the technique can provide substantial relief from illness with little or no pain.

Benefits

EFT is an alternative treatment that can be used with tradtional medicine.

EFT advocates call EFT a free behavioral intervention that can be used with other medical treatments to help improve healing in patients who suffer from a multitude of conditions and diseases including allergies, asthma, depression, high blood pressure and neuropathy.

References

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Peripheral Neuropathy Information Page
• Energy Psychology: EFT in treatment of seizure disorders
• “EFT for PTSD;” Gary Craig; 2009
• “The Genie in Your Genes;” Dawson Church; 2009

Resources

• Pub Med.gov: Pilot study of emotional freedom techniques for treatment of test anxiety
• World Center for EFT